Penrith Beach drowning: Selfless last act of father Seti Tuaopepe who died at ‘Pondi’ is revealed
The man who drowned on a newly opened inland ‘beach’ spent his final moments trying to keep his son above water, it has been revealed.
Seti Tuaopepe is being remembered as a kind and gentle family man following the tragedy at Penrith Beach in Sydney’s west on Boxing Day.
Mr Tuaopepe, in his 30s, was paddle boarding with his children when they fell into the water.
It is understood Mr Tuaopepe kept his children above water until a rescuer arrived at 2.35pm on Tuesday, but was unable to save himself, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Seti Tuaopepe has been identified as the man who drowned on Sydney’s Penrith Beach on Boxing Day
The extensive search for the drowned man included police divers and a helicopter
After the boy was pulled from the water, the beach was closed and rescue crews began a desperate search for Mr Tuaopepe.
NSW Police divers and a Toll rescue helicopter were called in as part of the extensive effort.
Mr Tuaopepe’s body was found at around 6.15pm, about four hours after he went missing.
There has been an outpouring of grief for Mr Tuaopepe, who grew up in Samoa, studied in New Zealand and moved to Australia for work.
“You were kind, quiet and a very gentle classmate,” a friend wrote on Facebook.
“You were a family man…condolences to your wife, children and family. Rest in peace and in the loving arms of our Lord.”
Penrith Beach officially opened last week and was immediately nicknamed Pondi, after the famous eastern suburb of Bondi Beach, and received mixed reviews from visitors.
A NSW government website bluntly lists what isn’t allowed on the beach, such as cycling, being dropped off by a family member and even visiting without a booking – with some dismissing the rules as ‘un-Australian’.
Penrith Beach is open from 7am to 7pm during the warmer months from December 19 to March 3.
The inland ‘beach’ which only opened last week was closed immediately after the tragedy